Microsoft Responds To Accusations Of Halo 2 Holding Back Xbox Live

Halo 2 is the reason you can't have more than 100 friends on Xbox Live, I reported earlier this week. Technically, it's because the old Xbox Live tech, which Halo 2 runs on, can't support more than 100 friends, but Halo 2 remains the only viable community preventing Microsoft from shutting down the previous XBL. Microsoft has since issued an official response to my story that provides little clarity.

"As the Xbox LIVE community continues to grow, we understand that some members may have reached the friends list cap," said a Microsoft spokesperson in an e-mailed statement. "We’re always listening to user feedback and looking at new ways to enhance the service, and expanding the friends limit is something we’re investigating. Beyond that we don’t have any details to share."

Microsoft's official response isn't much different than what various Microsoft representatives have been telling the press the past few years. The company is aware of the problem, the company is investigating the problem, the company has no timetable for a solution to the problem. We get it.

But as stated in my original piece, you have the power to help Microsoft make the switch. You just need to decide whether Halo 2's multiplayer lives or dies.